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education … is the one thing needful； and the only effective end。
If I might apply to my purpose； and turn into plain prose some
words of Hamlet … not with reference to any government or party
（for party being； for the most part； an irrational sort of thing；
has no connexion with the object we have in view） … if I might
apply those words to education as Hamlet applied them to the skull
of Yorick； I would say … 〃Now hie thee to the council…chamber； and
tell them； though they lay it on in sounding thoughts and learned
words an inch thick； to this complexion they must come at last。〃
In answer to a vote of thanks； Mr。 Dickens said； at the close of
the meeting …
〃Ladies and gentlemen； we are now quite even … for every effect
which I may have made upon you； the compliment has been amply
returned to me； but at the same time I am as little disposed to say
to you； 'go and sin no more；' as I am to promise for myself that 'I
will never do so again。' So long as I can make you laugh and cry；
I will； and you will readily believe me； when I tell you； you
cannot do too much on your parts to show that we are still cordial
and loving friends。 To you； ladies of the Institution； I am deeply
and especially indebted。 I sometimes ＇POINTING TO THE WORD 'BOZ'
IN FRONT OF THE GREAT GALLERY＇ think there is some small quantity
of magic in that very short name； and that it must consist in its
containing as many letters as the three graces； and they； every one
of them； being of your fair sisterhood。
A story is told of an eastern potentate of modern times； who； for
an eastern potentate； was a tolerably good man； sometimes
bowstringing his dependants indiscriminately in his moments of
anger； but burying them in great splendour in his moments of
penitence； that whenever intelligence was brought him of a new plot
or turbulent conspiracy； his first inquiry was； 'Who is she？'
meaning that a woman was at the bottom。 Now； in my small way； I
differ from that potentate； for when there is any good to be
attained； the services of any ministering angel required； my first
inquiry is； 'Where is she？' and the answer invariably is； 'Here。'
Proud and happy am I indeed to thank you for your generosity …
'A thousand times； good night；
A thousand times the worse to want your light。'
SPEECH： GARDENERS AND GARDENING。 LONDON； JUNE 14； 1852。
＇The Ninth Anniversary Dinner of the Gardeners' Benevolent
Institution was held on the above date at the London Tavern。 The
company numbered more than 150。 The dessert was worthy of the
occasion； and an admirable effect was produced by a profuse display
of natural flowers upon the tables and in the decoration of the
room。 The chair was taken by Mr。 Charles Dickens； who； in
proposing the toast of the evening； spoke as follows：…＇
FOR three times three years the Gardeners' Benevolent Institution
has been stimulated and encouraged by meetings such as this； and by
three times three cheers we will urge it onward in its prosperous
career。 ＇THE CHEERS WERE WARMLY GIVEN。＇
Occupying the post I now do； I feel something like a counsel for
the plaintiff with nobody on the other side； but even if I had been
placed in that position ninety times nine； it would still be my
duty to state a few facts from the very short brief with which I
have been provided。
This Institution was founded in the year 1838。 During the first
five years of its existence； it was not particularly robust； and
seemed to have been placed in rather a shaded position； receiving
somewhat more than its needful allowance of cold water。 In 1843 it
was removed into a more favourable position； and grafted on a
nobler stock； and it has now borne fruit； and become such a
vigorous tree that at present thirty…five old people daily sit
within the shelter of its branches； and all the pensioners upon the
list have been veritable gardeners； or the wives of gardeners。 It
is managed by gardeners； and it has upon its books the excellent
rule that any gardener who has subscribed to it for fifteen years；
and conformed to the rules； may； if he will； be placed upon the
pensioners' list without election； without canvass； without
solicitation； and as his independent right。 I lay very great
stress upon that honourable characteristic of the charity； because
the main principle of any such institution should be to help those
who help themselves。 That the Society's pensioners do not become
such so long as they are able to support themselves； is evinced by
the significant fact that the average age of those now upon the
list is seventy…seven； that they are not wasteful is proved by the
fact that the whole sum expended on their relief is but 500 pounds
a…year； that the Institution does not restrict itself to any narrow
confines； is shown by the circumstance； that the pensioners come
from all parts of England； whilst all the expenses are paid from
the annual income and interest on stock； and therefore are not
disproportionate to its means。
Such is the Institution which appeals to you through me； as a most
unworthy advocate； for sympathy and support； an Institution which
has for its President a nobleman whose whole possessions are
remarkable for taste and beauty； and whose gardener's laurels are
famous throughout the world。 In the list of its vice…presidents
there are the names of many noblemen and gentlemen of great
influence and station； and I have been struck in glancing through
the list of its supporters； with the sums written against the names
of the numerous nurserymen and seedsmen therein comprised。 I hope
the day will come when every gardener in England will be a member
of the charity。
The gardener particularly needs such a provision as this
Institution affords。 His gains are not great； he knows gold and
silver more as being of the colour of fruits and flowers than by
its presence in his pockets； he is subjected to that kind of labour
which renders him peculiarly liable to infirmity； and when old age
comes upon him； the gardener is of all men perhaps best able to
appreciate the merits of such an institution。
To all indeed； present and absent； who are descended from the first
〃gardener Adam and his wife；〃
the benefits of such a society are obvious。 In the culture of
flowers there cannot； by their very nature； be anything； solitary
or exclusive。 The wind that blows over the cottager's porch；
sweeps also over the grounds of the nobleman； and as the rain
descends on the just and on the unjust； so it communicates to all
gardeners； both rich and poor； an interchange of pleasure and
enjoyment； and the gardener of the rich man； in developing and
enhancing a fruitful flavour or a delightful scent； is； in some
sort； the gardener of everybody else。
The love of gardening is associated with all conditions of men； and
all periods of time。 The scholar and the statesman； men of peace
and men of war；